“One key element was the incorporation of a 3-metre mature Cratoxylon cochinchinensis tree within the bus stop as a greenery feature”

A group of young architects from DP Architects (DPA) thought that bus stops need not be just functional. By adding imagination, creative design, and technology into the mix, bus stops can go beyond their utilitarian function, and make waiting a fun and enriching experience for commuters. They approached the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) with the idea to design a prototype bus stop as a fun social space and Project Bus Stop was born.

Singapore’s Architecture & Urban Design Excellence (AUDE) programme facilitated a multi-agency partnership comprising the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore, Land Transport Authority, National Environment Agency, National Library Board, National Parks Board, Singapore Land Authority, and URA. This ground-up bus stop design features built-in WiFi, mobile phone charging points, interactive smart boards that provide bus info content, e-books, journey planners, a green roof, solar panels, bicycle parking, a book exchange corner, and even a swing. It also showcases artwork by local illustrator Lee Xin Li. Located along Jurong Gateway Road at Jurong East Central, Project Bus Stop was officially opened in August 2016.

Fred Lee, Senior Manager at Elmich Pte Ltd, said, “This is a very unique Corporate Social Responsibility project, initiated by DP Architects (DPA) examining ways to redesign a bus stop and re-imagine the way people interact with them, creating various fun and enjoyable experiences for the community.”

“One key element was the incorporation of a 3-metre mature Cratoxylon cochinchinensis tree within the bus stop as a greenery feature to express slices of distinctive environments, such as a garden. As such, we required a system to support healthy tree growth and maximise soil volume in a removable precast planter box. StrataVault® was chosen as the ideal solution, fitting into the existing pit size, providing the soil volume, and featuring a rain funnel to irrigate the tree under the hardscaped surface.”